Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Deputy Jerry Andrews Advances Initiative in SuitCase City

Many months ago when the Homeless Initiative began to surface, I knew that its tenets were derived from a core set of values, a belief system, that would have to attract a larger audience. For the initiative to help more people it would have to grow and expand into other areas and even other agencies.

The first leg of this expansion spilled over into the District I area of Hillsborough County, often alluded to as "Suitcase City", mostly due to its transient population with a prominent homeless presence.

The concept of the initiative was introduced at every early morning roll call at District I, in hopes that just one deputy would step up to the plate and spearhead this contemporary brand of law enforcement doctrine as it scaled incrementally. It would take the right type of person or personality trait however, and ultimately it was Deputy Jerry Andrews who was hand picked amongst the likely candidates.

In the months that would follow Andrews has kicked down a lot of doors in what has been seen by many as a fragmented system to help the homeless. Sometimes to make things happen differently you have to be a consequential and candid candidate to a fault. When your trying to do things that defy conventional wisdom you're seen as a disruptor or a contrarion; but, admittedly Andrews wears this new found title as a distinguished badge of honor.

There has been significant progress for change in Andrews wake -- a number of resources have been unearthed -- programs that have helped his homeless get off the streets, receive free eye exams and prescription eye wear, and most recently he assisted a young homeless women expecting a child find housing.

It seems that Andrews has his own set of core values that align with the same values as the homeless initiative and that's what made him a natural selection to be at the forefront of this pioneering effort.

So, a special tribute to District I and their very own Deputy Andrews for thoughtfully embracing the initiative and making it their own.

Steve

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